Signal lantern

ABSTRACT

A weatherproof signal lantern having a lens for directing light therefrom and including a flange on the bottom and a base molded of fiberglass reinforced polyester resin plastic having a flange for sealably coacting with the lens flange. A plurality of plastic draw catches for securing the lens to the base and including additional bosses on the lens and base flanges whereby the lens and base are interchangeable with conventional type lantern lens and bases. The lens flange including a drip rail integral therewith extending downwardly and round the lens perimeter for limiting water entry into the interface between the lens and the base with an O-ring seal having a groove offset from the seal for bonding the O-ring from the side to prevent undue stress forces in the lantern. A plastic snap-in hinge which allows quick installation of a lens on a base.

United States Patent 106, 106.1,41.55, 11.2; 116/107; 292/109;9/8.3 E;285/D1G. 16; 277/9, 9.5; 151/7; 85/32 [56] References Cited UNlTEDSTATES PATENTS 240,892 5/1881 Courtenay 85/D1Ci. 2 2,355,013 8/1944Rochestie 9/8.3 2,481,531 9/1949 Phillips 240/41.55 2,765,481 10/1956Manhart et al 9/8.3 2,773,171 12/1956 Pennow 240/1.2 3,048,433 8/1962Doetsch 287/127 3,119,430 1/1964 Di Rico 151/7 3,181,905 5/1965Bisbing... 292/109 3,187,177 6/1965 Meyer.... 240/106 PrimaryExaminer-Charles A. Ruehl Assistant Examiner-John Whalen A1mrneysJamesF. Weiler, Jefferson D. Glller, William A.

Stout, Paul 1... De Verter 11, Dudley R. Dobie, Jr. and Henry W. HopeABSTRACT: A weatherproof signal lantern having a lens for directinglight therefrom and including a flange on the bottom and a base moldedof fiberglass reinforced polyester resin plastic having a flange forsealably coacting with the lens flange. A plurality of plastic drawcatches for securing the lens to the base and including additionalbosses on the lens and base flanges whereby the lens and base areinterchangeable with conventional type lantern lens and bases. The lensflange including a drip rail integral therewith extending downwardly andround the lens perimeter for limiting water entry into the interfacebetween the lens and the base with an O-ring seal having a groove offsetfrom the seal for bonding the O-ring from the side to prevent unduestress forces in the lantern. A plastic snap-in hinge which allows quickinstallation of a lens on a base.

PMEMTEB mm 4 Ian SHEET 2 OF 3 m U! MAL 1% BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSignal lanterns such as marine lanterns used on buoys, channel markersand other navigational aids are left unattended and are subjected towind, waves, weather and extreme variations in temperatures and must becapable of withstanding these environmental conditions and operatewithout failure. A typical marine lantern is shown in U.S. Pat. No.3,l94.956 which utilizes a lens ring for clamping the lens to thelantern base.

The present invention is directed to various improvements in a signallantern to increase its ability to withstand the environmental elementsto which it is exposed and operate without failure and provide anincreased life as well as ease of servicing.

SUMMARY One feature of the present invention is the attachment of thelens to the lantern base without the use of a lens ring or metalhardware which is both difficult to operate on a moving buoy and issubject to rust and corrosion by providing a plurality of plastic drawcatches in which the catch member is secured to a molded boss on thelantern base and the keeper member is integrally molded with the lensflange which provides a weatherproof fastening means as well as onewhich aligns the lens with the base.

Still a further object of the present invention is the additionalprovision of equally spaced bosses integral with the lens and positionedon top of the lens flange and bosses on the base flange, both adapted tosupport additional types of fastening means for attachment toconventional types of marine lantern bases and lens and also allows theuse of additional fasteners to provide a secure and weathertightinstallation.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of adrip rail integral with the lens flange and extending downwardly fromthe outer edge of the lens flange around a substantial portion of theperimeter thereof for limiting water entry into the interface betweenthe lens flange and the base flange.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of asnap-in hinge providing a pivoting connection between the lantern andthe base without using a metal hinge pin which would be subject torusting and corrosion thereby providing quick installation or removalofa lens on the lantern base.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of aspecially designed O-ring seal groove including a valley in the bottomof the groove spaced from the center thereof for receiving glue forbonding the O-ring from the side thereby preventing the addition ofextra height to the O-ring causing a stress in the lantern.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of amolded lantern base molded from a thermosetting polyester resin plasticreinforced with pieces such as particles or strands of fiberglass whichwithstands weathering and ultraviolet light and can sustain long termloading without deterioration and failure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an elevational view of themarine lantern of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along theline 22 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational fragmentary cross-sectional view takenalong the line 33 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 4,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged elevational fragmentary view of the edge of theflange ofthe lens,

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the top of the lantern base,

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the bottom of the lantern base,

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional elevational viewshowing the shape of the O-ring groove in the base flange,

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating analternate method of fastening the lens to the base, and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of still anothertype of fastening means for securing the lens to the lantern base.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, thereference numeral 10 generally indicates a signal lantern such as amarine lantern used to mark buoys, navigational structures, andobstructions and generally includes a lens 12 and a base 14.

As is conventional, the lens includes a suitable configuration fordirecting light therefrom from a lamp (not shown) in a horizontal planeand may be of any suitable material such as acrylic plastic having aplurality of lens elements 16 on the outer surface for suitablydirecting light therefrom.

The lens 12 includes a lens flange 18 which coacts with a flange 20 onthe base 14, generally with an O-ring 22 (FIGS. 1 and 2) therebetween toprovide a seal.

Conventionally, the lens 12 is fastened to the base 14 by a lens ringand metal hardware, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,956 which issubject to water accumulation and rusting problems. One of the featuresof the present invention is the attachment of the lens 12 to the base 14without the use of a lens ring or without requiring the operation ofmetal hardware by providing a plurality of plastic draw catchesgenerally indicated by the reference numeral 24 (FIGS. I and 2). A drawcatch 24 generally includes a plastic catch member 26 which includesflexible pivots 28 and 30 and includes a keeper 32, all as generallyshown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,181,905. However, the keeper member 32 ismolded integral with the lens flange 18 at a plurality of locations,preferably l20 apart as shown in FIG. 4 and includes a keeper ledge 34(FIGS. 2 and 7) to engage and hold the catch hook 36, preferablyengaging the plastic catch member 26 at an angle to provide a bettergrip. That is the plane of the lens flange intersects the plane of theplastic catch member 26 at an angle less than so that the catch hook 36of the plastic catch member 26 engages the keeper ledge 34 and they locktogether. A plurality of bosses 38 are molded to the base flange 20 alsoat a plurality of loca tions around the base flange 20 such as I20", asbest seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, and to which the catch member 24 is securedby means of screws 40. However, it is to be noted that the screws 40need only be inserted and operated a single time to hold the catchmember 24 in place and that operation of the draw catch is thenaccomplished by movement of the plastic catch member 24 about the pivotpoints 28 and 30 to engage or disengage the flange 36 on the ledge 34 ofthe keeper 32 whereby the draw catch can be opened and closed with asingle motion and is not subject to corrosion and allows the catch to beopened rapidly and simply which is important to a service man standingon a moving buoy.

In addition, with the catch 24 in the closed position there is no waterdrainage and freezing problems such as can occur with a lens ring.Furthermore, the coaction of the catch member 26 and the keeper member32 automatically aligns the base 14. The boss 38 may further include asupport member 42 positioned between and abutting the base 44 of thecatch member 26 and the keeper member 32 to provide a sturdy support.

However, in order to insure that both the improved lens 12 and theimproved base 14 are interchangeable with existing lens and bases and/orto provide greater sealing between the lens 12 and the base 14,additional fastening means are provided in both the lens flange l8 andthe base flange 20 for coacting with conventional fastening equipment.Thus as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, a plurality of raised bosses 50 areprovided at 120 intervals and offset from the catches 32 to provide asupport structure for conventional or other additional desired fasteningmeans and a hole 52 is provided in the lens flange 18 to provide analigning reference for the fastening devices that may be used. But it isnoted that if the alternative or additional fastening means are not usedthe holes 52 may be omitted or suitably plugged such as by elasticrubber. And if the lens is later used on conventional bases, the rubbercompound acts as a visible marker and a workman need only extend theholes 52 through the lens flange 18 by drilling a coaxial hole throughthe rubber compound for passage of suitable fasteners.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the base flange 20 similarly includes aplurality of bosses 56 having openings 54 spaced to be aligned with theholes 52 of the lens flange 18 for accommodating suitable fasteningmeans.

Thus, as best seen in FIG. 11, the flange 18 of the improved lens 12 maybe connected to the flange 20 of base 14 of the present invention or thepresent base 14 may receive a conventional lens and lens ring by the useof a standard thumb screw 60 and nut 58 or the improved lens 12 may evenbe connected to a conventional base (not shown) by aligning the holes 52with the standard fasteners used in the conventional base.

However, a more preferred method of attaching the improved lens 12 orattaching a conventional lens to the improved base 14 is shown in FIG.12 wherein the fastening hardware comes in from the bottom reducingpossible damage to the lens 12 caused by wrenches or screwdrivers. Thus,a special cap, such as an acrylic nut 62, having a threaded interior 64is bonded to the lens flange 18 (or lens ring) in alignment with hole 52and the opening 54 whereby a suitable plastic screw 66 may be insertedfrom the bottom and screws into nut 62 and which also provides a morewaterproof fastener. A captivating ring 57 is connected to screw 66 toprevent loss of the screw 66. Furthermore, the mechanical loadsestablished by the attachment of the fasteners 66 is distributed by thecap 62 over a broad surface area of the top of the lens flange 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, l1 and 12, it is noted that a driprail 70 is integrally molded with the lens 12 at the outer perimeter ofthe lens flange l8 and extends downwardly and nearly continuously,except for the immediate locality of the hinge, around the lens flange18 to limit water penetration into the interface between the lens flangel8 and the upper base flange 20. This feature will keep the interior ofthe lens dry preventing electrical problems with the lantern bypreventing waveand wind-driven water reaching the interior of thelantern. And in colder climate, with prolonged periods of below freezingweather, the presence of water between the flange interface could causelantern fracture due to water freezing.

While a plastic hinge pin may be provided, another feature of thepresent invention is the provision of snap hinges for supporting thelens 12 from the base 14 without the use of metal pins and bolts whichwould be subjected to corrosion and rust. Thus, referring to FIGS. 3, 8and 9, the base 14 includes a set of hinges 76 having the conventionalopenings 78 therein. Referring also to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the lens 12includes a set of hinges 80 which includes pins 82 integral therewithfor insertion into the openings 78 of the base hinges 76. While this canbe done by squeezing the lens hinges 80 together for inserting the pins82 into the openings 78, it is preferable to taper the outer faces 84 ofthe pins 82 50 that they more easily may be wedged into and insertedinto the openings 78. This feature allows a service technician toinstall and remove a new lens on a lantern base quickly and simply evenafter it has been in service along period of time.

Another feature of the present invention is making the base 14 from afiberglass reinforced polyester resin plastic. It has been found thatthis is a thermosetting plastic having properties along with thereinforcing of pieces of fiberglass such as chopped fiberglass orstrands of fiberglass which makes the resulting material much moreresistant to long term stress than conventionally used thermoplastics.It has been found that such a material permits long term loading, ascompared to other plastic materials, and is not subject to undueultraviolet deterioration, and stress creep. This material can sustainlong term loadings of about 8,000 to 10,000 p.s.i. and will retain agreater part of this strength for a longer period of time thanconventionally used materials.

In use, the lens 12 may be attached to the base 14 without the use ofany lens ring which could possibly cause water damage or without the useof metal fasteners by using the polypropylene draw catches 24 which maybe hand operated to secure or release the lens 12 from the base 14.However, either the lens 12 or the base 14 may be used with conventionallens and bases by the alternative or additional methods of attachment ofthe lens to the base by the provision for the bosses 50 (FIGS. 4 and 6)wherein the holes 52 are aligned with openings 54 in the bosses 56 inthe flange 20 of the base 14. Thus, the workman need only insert aconventional fastener through the holes 52 for securing the lens 12 to aconventional base. Similarly, the flange 20 of the base 14 will readilyreceive a conventional lens and lens ring as desired. Furthermore,additional fastening methods may be provided, such as shown in FIG. 12,wherein a nut 62 is bonded to the top of the lens flange 18 or to a lensring and may include plastic threads 64 whereby a fastener 66 may beinserted up through the underside of the base flange 20 through theopening 54 and recess 52 in the lens flange 18 and into the thread nut62. Additionally, the lens 14 includes a drip rail 70 which protects theinterface between the lens flange l8 and the base flange 20 from windorwave-driven water.

And as shown in FIG. 3, the pins 82 in the hinges on the lens 12 allowquick insertion and removal of the lens from the base 14 while stillproviding a hinge connection, and as shown in FIG. 10, the O-ring groove72 has been provided with one or more valleys 74 to prevent the agentbonding the O-ring in the groove from adding thickness to the groove andincreasing the clamping force required to seal the lantern. And theparticular plastic formulation of the fiberglass reinforced polyesterplastic has excellent corrosion and weather resistance and resists undueultraviolet deterioration and its strength is not degraded with timewhen subjected to prolonged stresses and weathering.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out theobjects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as othersinherent therein.

What is claimed is:

1. A signal lantern comprising: a lens for directing light therefrom andincluding a lens flange at the bottom thereof; a base for supportingsaid lens and having a base flange for sealably coacting with the lensflange; a plurality of draw catches for securing said lens to said base,said catches including a plastic catch member having a catch hook andbeing connected to said base, and keeper members on said lens flange,said keeper members being integral with the lens flange and spaced aboutthe circumference thereof, the top of the keeper members forming akeeper ledge which is generally flat and aligned with the top of thelens flange; and a plurality of boss members on said base for securingsaid plastic catch members to said base, the surface of said boss towhich the plastic catch members are secured making an angle of less thenwith the top of the keeper ledge thereby providing a gripping angle forsaid plastic catch hook.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including,

coacting sets of hinge arms, one set integral with the lens and one setintegral with the said base whereby the lens may be opened without beingreleased from the base.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 including,

one set of hinge arms including openings therein, and

the other set of hinge arms including pins therein and adapted to beinserted in the openings, said pins including a tapered face at theouter ends for ease of insertion into the openings.

4. The apparatus of claim I including,

a plurality of equally spaced bosses integral with the lens,

said bosses each including a vertical recess extending through theflange of the lens,

a plastic-threaded nut bonded on each of said bosses above and alignedwith said vertical recess for receiving a fastener,

a fastener extending upwardly through the base flange and recess andinto the threaded nut for fastening the lens to the base.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 including, an annular groove in the baseadjacent the lens flange for receiving an Q-ring seal, said grooveincluding a valley in the bottom of the groove spaced from the center ofthe groove whereby when the groove receives glue for bonding the O-ringany excess glue will flow to the valley preventing adding height to theO-ring by the glue.

6. A marine signal lantern comprising: an acrylic lens for directinglight therefrom and including a lens flange on the bottom thereof; abase for supporting said lens and having a base flange for sealablycoacting with the lens flange; a plurality of draw catches for securingsaid lens to said base, said catches including a plastic catch memberhaving a catch hook and being connected to said base, and keeper memberson said lens flange, said keeper members being integral with the lensflange and spaced about the circumference thereof, the top of the keepermember forming a keeper ledge which is generally flat and aligned withthe top of the lens flange; a plurality of boss members on said base forsecuring said plastic catch members to said base, the surface of saidboss to which said plastic catch members are secured making an angle ofless than with the top of the keeper ledge thereby providing a grippingangle for said plastic catch hook; and coacting sets of hinge arms, oneset integral with the lens and one set integral with the base wherebythe lens may be opened without being disconnected from the base, saidbase being molded from thermosetting polyester resin plastic reinforcedwith fiberglass and said lens including a drip rail integral therewithand extending downwardly from the outer edge of the lens flange andextending around a substantial portion of the perimeter of the lensflange for limiting water entry into the interface between the lensflange.

it a i 1 1!

1. A signal lantern comprising: a lens for directing light therefrom andincluding a lens flange at the bottom thereof; a base for supportingsaid lens and having a base flange for sealably coacting with the lensflange; a plurality of draw catches for securing said lens to said base,said catches including a plastic catch member having a catch hook andbeing connected to said base, and keeper members on said lens flange,said keeper members being integral with the lens flange and spaced aboutthe circumference thereof, the top of the keeper members forming akeeper ledge which is generally flat and aligned with the top of thelens flange; and a plurality of boss members on said base for securingsaid plastic catch members to said base, the surface of said boss towhich the plastic catch members are secured making an angle of less then90* with the top of the keeper ledge thereby providing a gripping anglefor said plastic catch hook.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 including,coacting sets of hinge arms, one set integral with the lens and one setintegral with the said base whereby the lens may be opened without beingreleased from the base.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 including, one setof hinge arms including openings therein, and the other set of hingearms including pins therein and adapted to be inserted in the openings,said pins including a tapered face at the outer ends for ease ofinsertion into the openings.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 including, aplurality of equally spaced bosses integral with the lens, said bosseseach including a vertical recess extending through the flange of thelens, a plastic-threaded nut bonded on each of said bosses above andaligned with said vertical recess for receiving a fastener, a fastenerextending upwardly through the base flange and recess and into thethreaded nut for fastening the lens to the base.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 including, an annular groove in the base adjacent the lensflange for receiving an O-ring seal, said groove including a valley inthe bottom of the groove spaced from the center of the groove wherebywhen the groove receives glue for bonding the O-ring any excess gluewill flow to the valley preventing adding height to the O-ring by theglue.
 6. A marine signal lantern comprising: an acrylic lens fordirecting light therefrom and including a lens flange on the bottomthereof; a base for supporting said lens and having a base flange forsealably coacting with the lens flange; a plurality of draw catches forsecuring said lens to said base, said catches including a plastic catchmember having a catch hook and being connected to said base, and keepermembers on said lens flange, said keeper members being integral with thelens flange and spaced about the circumference thereof, the top of thekeeper member forming a keeper ledge which is generally flat and alignedwith the top of the lens flange; a plurality of boss members on saidbase for securing said plastic catch members to said base, the surfaceof said boss to which said plastic catch members are secured making anangle Of less than 90* with the top of the keeper ledge therebyproviding a gripping angle for said plastic catch hook; and coactingsets of hinge arms, one set integral with the lens and one set integralwith the base whereby the lens may be opened without being disconnectedfrom the base, said base being molded from thermosetting polyester resinplastic reinforced with fiberglass and said lens including a drip railintegral therewith and extending downwardly from the outer edge of thelens flange and extending around a substantial portion of the perimeterof the lens flange for limiting water entry into the interface betweenthe lens flange.